What is gracious professionalism really?
 

I have been looking through the threads about gracious professionalism, and it got me wondering...what IS gracious professionalism. I know that what I feel it is isnt always the same as what others think it is...so I was wondering if people wanted to sit and think about it for a bit. Just a question for EVERYBODY to think about.

Re: What is gracious professionalism really?
 

Our team's version

gra·cious ( P ) Pronunciation Key (grshs)
adj.
Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.
Characterized by tact and propriety: responded to the insult with gracious humor.
Of a merciful or compassionate nature.
Condescendingly courteous; indulgent.
Characterized by charm or beauty; graceful.
Characterized by elegance and good taste: gracious living.
Archaic. Enjoying favor or grace; acceptable or pleasing.

n.
Professional status, methods, character, or standards.
The use of professional performers, as in athletics or in the arts.

\Pro*fes"sion*al*ism\, n. The following of a profession, sport, etc., as an occupation; -- opposed to amateurism.


n : the expertness characteristic of a professional person


They’ve also coined the phrase “Gracious Professionalism” to teach the students that in the business world there is a required politeness and trust which allows the smooth conduct of business between professionals. The organization requires such concern for others from the design of a robot so that it allows other robots a sporting chance to win, to the safety of each other and controlled exuberance during the heat of the final championship match.
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I think it is designed so that instead of growing up fighting and bickering, FIRSTers will learn to cooperate, and behave in a mature and professional manner. Good business practices include honesty, fairness, and a clear sense of purpose.

All these things are a part of Gracious Professionalism.

(This is a very interesting topic.)

Gracious professionalism is treating other as you wish to be treated...unless you're a masochist

Grace is the ability to continue to function when something has gone wrong, or you think something has gone wrong. Seatbelts/airbags are an example of a gracefull car design. driving into a tree is an error or mistake. Being able to walk away from the smoldering hunk of metal is grace. You continue to function!

so grace has alot to do with mistakes, errors, problems, or things YOU percieve to be not-right.

Professionalism is centered on understanding that the other person has earned the right to the position they have, they know what they are doing, they have a job to do, and you have a job to do (not the same job).

Engineering is not about being perfect, or getting it right the first time. Every engineering design cycle has a test and debug phase.

Couple these together and you get the cushion that allows FIRST to exist. If someone else is making a mistake, or you think they are, dont get angry or come apart at the seams to where you cease to function! And dont try to do everyone elses job for them.

Mistakes will be made. Collisions will happen on every possible level. Its what you do when problems happen - thats where we all need the cushion.

Dont let it bring your team, your particapation, or FIRST itself to an end!

Keep in mind at all times that the other person is doing their best - doing the most they can with what they have.

Know that everyone involved with FIRST is there because they believe in its mission.

Know and expect that everyone else will be gracious professionals too!

Haha! Good point...:D

well...
 

gracious professionalism is definitely synonymous with courtesy and helping out others. and i haven't heard anyone (except big mike who wants to burn moe :p ) use the old 'act like your grandmother is watching' this year, so that's certainly appropriate. gracious professionalism means no bashing or insulting, no booing or negative cheering, like laughing at other people's shortcomings. being on a team with a good reputation has made it all the more obvious when there is disdain for our good fortune. all too often do people cheer when good robots go down, and there has been the occasional note in our pit telling us to leave, but we take it with a grain of salt, because that's what gracious professionalism is. you treat others with respect and dignity, even if they dislike you or treat you rudely. kudos to the dude who said that about masochism, that was funny (koko ed)

I posted this in another post, but it goes well here too:

Gracious professionalism is like a smile. You can have big smiles, little smiles and some smiles that are so bright, it brings joy to anyone who appreciates them. No matter how big a smile is though, there are some out there who know nothing but frowns. Although we can't force these people to smile, maybe one day they will look around at all the smiles that surround them... and smile too.

Gracious professionalism is competing with a team one minute, and helping them fix their robot the next. It is cheering for FIRST, rather than just your team, and most importantly: it is looking at the future and saying, "Together, we can do that"